Index of Word Meanings
1.
copious
/ˈkəʊpɪəs/
adjective
abundant in supply or quantity.
"she took copious notes"
Similar:
abundant
superabundant
plentiful
ample
profuse
full
extensive
considerable
substantial
generous
bumper
lavish
fulsome
liberal
bountiful
overflowing
abounding
teeming
in abundance
many
numerous
multiple
multifarious
multitudinous
manifold
countless
innumerable
a gogo
galore
lank
bounteous
plenteous
myriad
Opposite:
sparse
ARCHAIC
profuse in speech or ideas.
"I had been a little too copious in talking of my country"
---
2.
mimeograph
/ˈmɪmɪəɡrɑːf/
noun
noun: mimeograph; plural noun: mimeographs
a duplicating machine which produces copies from a stencil, now superseded by the photocopier.
a copy produced on a mimeograph.
verb
verb: mimeograph; 3rd person present: mimeographs; past tense: mimeographed; past participle: mimeographed; gerund or present participle: mimeographing
make a copy of (a document) with a mimeograph.
"a mimeographed letter"
Origin
late 19th century: formed irregularly from Greek mimeomai ‘I imitate’ + -graph.
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3.
mettlesome
/ˈmɛtls(ə)m/
adjective LITERARY
adjective: mettlesome
(of a person or animal) full of spirit and courage; lively.
"their horses were beasts of burden, not mettlesome chargers"
Similar:
spirited
game
gritty
intrepid
fearless
courageous
hardy
brave
plucky
gallant
valiant
valorous
bold
daring
audacious
heroic
tenacious
steely
determined
resolved
resolute
steadfast
indomitable
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Similar-sounding words
mettlesome is sometimes confused with meddlesome
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4.
prescient
/ˈprɛsɪənt/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: prescient
having or showing knowledge of events before they take place.
"a prescient warning"
Similar:
prophetic
predictive
visionary
psychic
clairvoyant
far-seeing
far-sighted
with foresight
prognostic
divinatory
oracular
sibylline
apocalyptic
fateful
revelatory
insightful
intuitive
perceptive
percipient
foreknowing
previsional
vatic
mantic
vaticinal
vaticinatory
prognosticative
augural
adumbrative
fatidic
fatidical
haruspical
pythonic
Origin
early 17th century: from Latin praescient- ‘knowing beforehand’, from the verb praescire, from prae ‘before’ + scire ‘know’.
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5.
strident
/ˈstrʌɪdnt/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: strident
1.
(of a sound) loud and harsh; grating.
"his voice had become increasingly strident"
Similar:
harsh
raucous
rough
grating
rasping
jarring
loud
stentorian
shrill
screeching
piercing
ear-piercing
unmelodious
unmusical
discordant
dissonant
unharmonious
stridulous
stridulant
stridulatory
stentorious
Opposite:
soft
dulcet
PHONETICS
another term for sibilant.
2.
presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in an excessively forceful way.
"public pronouncements on the crisis became less strident"
Origin
mid 17th century: from Latin strident- ‘creaking’, from the verb stridere .
---
6.
ebullience
/ɪˈbʌlɪəns,ɪˈbʊlɪəns/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: ebullience
the quality of being cheerful and full of energy; exuberance.
"the ebullience of happy children"
Similar:
exuberance
buoyancy
cheerfulness
joy
joyfulness
gladness
---
7.
quixotic
/kwɪkˈsɒtɪk/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: quixotic
extremely idealistic; unrealistic and impractical.
"a vast and perhaps quixotic project"
h
Similar:
idealistic
unbusinesslike
romantic
extravagant
starry-eyed
visionary
utopian
perfectionist
unrealistic
unworldly
impracticable
unworkable
impossible
non-viable
inoperable
unserviceable
useless
ineffective
ineffectual
inefficacious
---
8.
bland
/bland/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: bland; comparative adjective: blander; superlative adjective: blandest
lacking strong features or characteristics and therefore uninteresting.
"bland, mass-produced pop music"
h
Similar:
uninteresting
dull
boring
tedious
monotonous
dry
drab
dreary
wearisome
unexciting
unimaginative
uninspiring
uninspired
weak
insipid
colourless
lustreless
lacklustre
vapid
flat
stale
trite
vacuous
feeble
pallid
wishy-washy
limp
tired
lifeless
torpid
unanimated
zestless
spiritless
sterile
anaemic
barren
tame
bloodless
antiseptic
middle-of-the-road
run-of-the-mill
commonplace
mediocre
nondescript
characterless
mundane
inoffensive
humdrum
prosaic
h
Opposite:
interesting
stimulating
(of food or drink) unseasoned, mild-tasting, or insipid.
"a bland and unadventurous vegetarian dish"
h
Similar:
tasteless
flavourless
insipid
mild
savourless
unflavoured
weak
thin
watery
watered-down
spiceless
unappetizing
wishy-washy
h
Opposite:
tangy
showing no strong emotion.
"his expression was bland and unreadable"
h
Similar:
temperate
mild
soft
calm
balmy
soothing
benign
h
Opposite:
violent
destructive
Origin
late Middle English (in the sense ‘gentle in manner’): from Latin blandus ‘soft, smooth’.
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9.
veritable
/ˈvɛrɪtəbl/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: veritable
used for emphasis, often to qualify a metaphor.
"the early 1970s witnessed a veritable price explosion"
Origin
late Middle English: from Old French, from verite ‘truth’ (see verity). Early senses included ‘true’ and ‘speaking the truth’, later ‘genuine, actual’.
---
10.
haggard
/ˈhaɡəd/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
1.
looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering.
"she was pale and haggard"
Similar:
careworn
tired
drained
drawn
raddled
unwell
unhealthy
sickly
spent
sapped
washed out
rundown
exhausted
gaunt
grim
pinched
peaked
peaky
hollow-cheeked
hollow-eyed
pale
wan
grey
ashen
pallid
pasty-faced
sallow
thin
emaciated
wasted
cadaverous
ghastly
ghostlike
deathlike
Opposite:
fresh
healthy
2.
(of a hawk) caught for training as a wild adult of more than twelve months.
noun
a haggard hawk.
---
11.
capitulation
/kəˌpɪtjʊˈleɪʃn/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: capitulation; plural noun: capitulations
the action of ceasing to resist an opponent or demand.
"she gave a sigh of capitulation"
h
Similar:
surrender
submission
yielding
giving in
succumbing
acquiescence
laying down of arms
fall
defeat
h
Opposite:
resistance
historical
an agreement or set of conditions.
---
12.
whereof
/wəˈrɒv,wɛːˈrɒv,wɛˈrɒv/
Learn to pronounce
adverbformal
adverb: whereof
of what or which.
"I know whereof I speak"
---
13.
vilify
/ˈvɪlɪfʌɪ/
Learn to pronounce
verb
gerund or present participle: vilifying
speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner.
"he has been vilified in the press"
h
Similar:
disparage
denigrate
defame
run down
revile
berate
belittle
abuse
insult
slight
attack
speak ill of
speak evil of
pour scorn on
cast aspersions on
criticize
censure
condemn
decry
denounce
pillory
lambast
fulminate against
rail against
inveigh against
malign
slander
libel
spread lies about
blacken the name/reputation of
sully the reputation of
give someone a bad name
bring someone into disrepute
discredit
stigmatize
traduce
calumniate
impugn
slur
do down
do a hatchet job on
take to pieces
pull apart
throw mud at
drag through the mud
have a go at
hit out at
jump on
lay into
tear into
knock
slam
pan
bash
hammer
roast
skewer
bad-mouth
throw brickbats at
rubbish
slag off
monster
slate
pummel
dump on
bag
contemn
derogate
vituperate
asperse
vilipend
h
Opposite:
commend
lionize
Origin
late Middle English (in the sense ‘lower in value’): from late Latin vilificare, from Latin vilis ‘of low value’ (see vile).
---
14.
admonition
/ˌadməˈnɪʃn/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: admonition; plural noun: admonitions
a firm warning or reprimand.
"he received numerous admonitions for his behaviour"
h
Similar:
reprimand
rebuke
reproof
remonstrance
reproach
admonishment
stricture
lecture
criticism
recrimination
tirade
diatribe
philippic
harangue
attack
scolding
chastisement
castigation
upbraiding
berating
reproval
censure
condemnation
telling-off
dressing-down
talking-to
tongue-lashing
bashing
blast
rap
rap over the knuckles
slap on the wrist
flea in one's ear
earful
roasting
rollicking
caning
blowing-up
rocket
wigging
slating
ticking off
carpeting
serve
rating
exhortation
warning
caution
caveat
piece of advice
recommendation
injunction
monition
enjoinment
instruction
direction
suggestion
lesson
precept
advice
counsel
guidance
urging
encouragement
persuasion
pressure
View 1 vulgar slang word
h
Opposite:
commendation
pat on the back
praise
Origin
late Middle English: from Old French amonition, from Latin admonitio(n-) ‘(cautionary) reminder’ (see admonish).
---
15.
plaintiff
/ˈpleɪntɪf/
Learn to pronounce
nounLaw
noun: plaintiff; plural noun: plaintiffs
a person who brings a case against another in a court of law.
"the plaintiff commenced an action for damages"
Origin
late Middle English: from Old French plaintif ‘plaintive’ (used as a noun). The -f ending has come down through Law French; the word was originally the same as plaintive .
---
16.
fulsome
/ˈfʊls(ə)m/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: fulsome
1.
complimentary or flattering to an excessive degree.
"the press are embarrassingly fulsome in their appreciation"
h
Similar:
enthusiastic
ample
profuse
extensive
generous
liberal
lavish
glowing
gushing
gushy
excessive
extravagant
overdone
immoderate
inordinate
over-appreciative
fawning
ingratiating
adulatory
laudatory
acclamatory
eulogistic
rapturous
flattering
complimentary
effusive
cloying
unctuous
saccharine
sugary
honeyed
over the top
OTT
buttery
encomiastic
2.
of large size or quantity; generous or abundant.
"the fulsome details of the later legend"
Origin
Middle English (in the sense ‘abundant’): from full1 + -some1.
---
17.
inadvertently
/ˌɪnədˈvəːt(ə)ntli/
Learn to pronounce
adverb
adverb: inadvertently
without intention; accidentally.
"his name had been inadvertently omitted from the list"
h
Similar:
accidentally
by accident
unintentionally
unwittingly
unawares
without noticing
in all innocence
by mistake
mistakenly
h
Opposite:
---
18.
rancorous
/ˈraŋk(ə)rəs/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: rancorous
characterized by bitterness or resentment.
"sixteen miserable months of rancorous disputes"
h
Similar:
bitter
spiteful
hateful
resentful
acrimonious
malicious
malevolent
malign
malignant
hostile
antipathetic
venomous
poisonous
vindictive
evil-intentioned
ill-natured
baleful
vengeful
vitriolic
virulent
pernicious
mean
nasty
bitchy
catty
malefic
maleficent
h
Opposite:
amicable
---
19.
notwithstanding
/ˌnɒtwɪðˈstandɪŋ,ˌnɒtwɪθˈstandɪŋ/
preposition
preposition: notwithstanding
in spite of.
"notwithstanding the evidence, the consensus is that the jury will not reach a verdict"
h
Similar:
in spite of
despite
regardless of
for all
adverb
adverb: notwithstanding
nevertheless; in spite of this.
"I didn't like it. Notwithstanding, I remained calm"
h
Similar:
nevertheless
nonetheless
even so
all the same
in spite of this/that
despite this/that
after everything
however
still
yet
be that as it may
having said that
that said
for all that
just the same
anyway
in any event
at any rate
at all events
when all is said and done
withal
howbeit
conjunction
conjunction: notwithstanding
although; in spite of the fact that.
"notwithstanding that the hall was packed with bullies, our champion played on steadily and patiently"
h
Similar:
although
in spite of the fact that
despite the fact that
even though
though
for all that
Origin
---
20.
kazam
interjection. Used to show that something appears by magic.
---
21.
nuance
/ˈnjuːɑːns/
Learn to pronounce
noun
plural noun: nuances
a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.
"he was familiar with the nuances of the local dialect"
h
Similar:
fine distinction
subtle distinction/difference
shade
shading
gradation
variation
modulation
degree
subtlety
nicety
refinement
overtone
verb
3rd person present: nuances
give nuances to.
"the effect of the music is nuanced by the social situation of listeners"
Origin
late 18th century: from French, ‘shade, subtlety’, from nuer ‘to shade’, based on Latin nubes ‘cloud’.
---
22.
chasten
/ˈtʃeɪs(ə)n/
Learn to pronounce
verb
past tense: chastened; past participle: chastened
(of a rebuke or misfortune) have a restraining or moderating effect on.
"the director was somewhat chastened by his recent flops"
h
Similar:
subdue
humble
cow
squash
deflate
flatten
bring down
bring low
take down a peg or two
humiliate
mortify
restrain
tame
curb
check
cut down to size
put down
put someone in their place
settle someone's hash
archaic
(especially of God) discipline; punish.
Origin
early 16th century: from an obsolete verb chaste, from Old French chastier, from Latin castigare ‘castigate’, from castus ‘morally pure, chaste’.
---
23.
falter
/ˈfɔːltə,ˈfɒltə/
verb
verb: falter; 3rd person present: falters; past tense: faltered; past participle: faltered; gerund or present participle: faltering
lose strength or momentum.
"the music faltered, stopped, and started up again"
Similar:
hesitate
delay
drag one's feet
stall
think twice
get cold feet
change one's mind
waver
oscillate
fluctuate
vacillate
be undecided
be indecisive
be irresolute
see-saw
yo-yo
haver
hum and haw
sit on the fence
dilly-dally
shilly-shally
pussyfoot around
blow hot and cold
tergiversate
speak hesitantly.
"‘A-Adam?’ he faltered"
h
Similar:
stammer
stutter
stumble
speak haltingly
hesitate
pause
halt
splutter
flounder
blunder
fumble
move unsteadily or hesitantly.
"he faltered and finally stopped in mid-stride"
Origin
late Middle English (in the senses ‘stammer’ and ‘stagger’): perhaps from the verb fold1 (which was occasionally used of the faltering of the legs or tongue) + -ter as in totter .
---
24.
ingenuity
/ˌɪndʒɪˈnjuːɪti/
noun
noun: ingenuity
the quality of being clever, original, and inventive.
"considerable ingenuity must be employed in writing software"
Similar:
inventiveness
creativity
imagination
originality
innovation
resourcefulness
enterprise
insight
inspiration
perceptiveness
perception
intuition
flair
finesse
artistry
genius
cleverness
intelligence
brilliance
mastery
talent
skill
sharpness
astuteness
acumen
acuity
sharp-wittedness
quick-wittedness
quickness
shrewdness
sophistication
thinking outside the box
Origin
late 16th century (also in the senses ‘nobility’ and ‘ingenuousness’): from Latin ingenuitas ‘ingenuousness’, from ingenuus ‘inborn’. The current meaning arose by confusion of ingenuous with ingenious.
---
25.
outflank
/ˌaʊtˈflaŋk/
Learn to pronounce
verb
verb: outflank; 3rd person present: outflanks; past tense: outflanked; past participle: outflanked; gerund or present participle: outflanking
move round the side of (an enemy) so as to outmanoeuvre them.
"the Germans had sought to outflank them from the north-east"
outwit.
"an attempt to outflank the opposition"
---
26.
fait accompli
/ˌfeɪt əˈkɒmpli,ˌfɛt əˈkɒmpli/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: fait accompli; plural noun: faits accomplis
a thing that has already happened or been decided before those affected hear about it, leaving them with no option but to accept it.
"the results were presented to shareholders as a fait accompli"
Origin
mid 19th century: from French, literally ‘accomplished fact’.
---
27.
thaw
/θɔː/
Learn to pronounce
verb
past tense: thawed; past participle: thawed
(of ice, snow, or another frozen substance, such as food) become liquid or soft as a result of warming up.
"the river thawed and barges of food began to reach the capital"
h
Similar:
defrost
h
Opposite:
freeze
the weather becomes warmer and causes snow and ice to melt.
h
Similar:
melt
unfreeze
soften
liquefy
dissolve
unthaw
h
Opposite:
freeze
solidify
make (something) warm enough to become liquid or soft.
"European exporters simply thawed their beef before unloading"
(of a part of the body) become warm enough to stop feeling numb.
"Riven began to feel his ears and toes thaw out"
make or become friendlier or more cordial.
"she thawed out sufficiently to allow a smile to appear"
h
Similar:
become friendlier
become more genial
become more sociable
loosen up
relax
become more relaxed
Origin
Old English thawian (verb), of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch dooien . The noun (first recorded in Middle English) developed its figurative use in the mid 19th century.
---
28.
abound
/əˈbaʊnd/
verb
verb: abound; 3rd person present: abounds; past tense: abounded; past participle: abounded; gerund or present participle: abounding
exist in large numbers or amounts.
"rumours of a further scandal abound"
h
Similar:
be plentiful
be abundant
be numerous
proliferate
superabound
thrive
flourish
be thick on the ground
grow on trees
be two/ten a penny
abundant
plentiful
superabundant
considerable
copious
ample
lavish
luxuriant
profuse
boundless
munificent
bountiful
prolific
inexhaustible
generous
galore
plenteous
h
Opposite:
be scarce
meagre
scanty
have in large numbers or amounts.
"this land abounds with wildlife"
h
Similar:
be full of
overflow with
teem with
be packed with
be crowded with
be thronged with
be jammed with
be alive with
be overrun with
swarm with
bristle with
be bristling with
be infested with
be thick with
be crawling with
be lousy with
be stuffed with
be jam-packed with
be chock-a-block with
be chock-full of
be heaving with
pullulate with
Origin
Middle English (in the sense ‘overflow, be abundant’): from Old French abunder, from Latin abundare ‘overflow’, from ab- ‘from’ + undare ‘surge’ (from unda ‘a wave’).
---
29.
hail 1
/heɪl/
verb
past tense: hailed; past participle: hailed
1.
hail falls.
"it hailed so hard we had to stop"
h
Similar:
beat
shower
rain
fall
pour
drop
pelt
pepper
batter
bombard
volley
assail
2.
(of a large number of objects) fall or be hurled forcefully.
"missiles and bombs hail down from the sky"
Origin
Old English hagol, hægl (noun), hagalian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch hagel and German Hagel .
hail2
/heɪl/
Learn to pronounce
verb
past tense: hailed; past participle: hailed
1.
call out to (someone) to attract attention.
"I hailed her in English"
h
Similar:
greet
salute
address
halloo
speak to
call out to
shout to
say hello to
initiate a discussion with
talk to
nod to
wave to
smile at
signal to
lift one's hat to
acknowledge
accost
approach
waylay
stop
catch
collar
buttonhole
nobble
h
Opposite:
say goodbye to
signal (an approaching taxi) to stop.
"she raised her hand to hail a cab"
h
Similar:
flag down
wave down
signal to stop
gesture to stop
make a sign to
call to
shout to
summon
accost
2.
praise (someone or something) enthusiastically.
"he has been hailed as the new James Dean"
Similar:
acclaim
praise
applaud
commend
rave about
extol
eulogize
vaunt
hymn
lionize
express approval of
express admiration for
pay tribute to
speak highly of
sing the praises of
make much of
glorify
cheer
salute
exalt
honour
hurrah
hurray
toast
welcome
pay homage to
big up
ballyhoo
cry up
emblazon
laud
panegyrize
Opposite:
criticize
condemn
3.
have one's home or origins in (a place).
"they hail from Turkey"
Similar:
come from
be from
be a native of
have been born in
originate in
have one's roots in
be … (by birth)
live in
have one's home in
inhabit
be an inhabitant of
be settled in
reside in
be a resident of
Origin
Middle English: from the obsolete adjective hail ‘healthy’ (occurring in greetings and toasts, such as wæs hæil : see wassail), from Old Norse heill, related to hale1 and whole.
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30.
stipulate1
/ˈstɪpjʊleɪt/
verb
gerund or present participle: stipulating
demand or specify (a requirement), typically as part of an agreement.
"he stipulated certain conditions before their marriage"
h
Similar:
specify
set down
set out
lay down
set forth
state clearly
demand
require
insist on
make a condition of
make a precondition/proviso of
prescribe
impose
provide
Origin
early 17th century: from Latin stipulat- ‘demanded as a formal promise’, from the verb stipulari .
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31.
subvert
/səbˈvəːt/
Learn to pronounce
verb
verb: subvert; 3rd person present: subverts; past tense: subverted; past participle: subverted; gerund or present participle: subverting
undermine the power and authority of (an established system or institution).
"the case involved an attempt to subvert the rule of law"
h
Similar:
destabilize
unsettle
overthrow
overturn
bring down
bring about the downfall of
topple
depose
oust
supplant
unseat
dethrone
disestablish
dissolve
disrupt
wreak havoc on
sabotage
ruin
upset
destroy
annihilate
demolish
wreck
undo
undermine
undercut
weaken
impair
damage
corrupt
pervert
warp
deprave
defile
debase
distort
contaminate
poison
embitter
vitiate
Origin
late Middle English: from Old French subvertir or Latin subvertere, from sub- ‘from below’ + vertere ‘to turn’.
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32.
auspice
/ˈɔːspɪs/
Learn to pronounce
nounarchaic
plural noun: auspices
a divine or prophetic token.
Origin
mid 16th century (originally denoting the observation of bird flight in divination): from French, or from Latin auspicium, from auspex ‘observer of birds’, from avis ‘bird’ + specere ‘to look’.
---
33.
plenary
/ˈpliːn(ə)ri/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: plenary
1.
(of a meeting) to be attended by all participants at a conference or assembly, who otherwise meet in smaller groups.
"the House is expected to bring the legislative procedures bill to a plenary meeting"
h
Similar:
full
fully constituted
general
complete
entire
open
2.
unqualified; absolute.
"the disciplinary committee will have plenary powers"
h
Similar:
unconditional
unlimited
unrestricted
unqualified
absolute
complete
sweeping
comprehensive
plenipotentiary
noun
noun: plenary; plural noun: plenaries
a meeting or session attended by all participants at a conference or assembly.
"working parties would report back to the plenary with recommendations"
Origin
late Middle English: from late Latin plenarius ‘complete’, from plenus ‘full’.
---
34.
penultimate
/pɪˈnʌltɪmət/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: penultimate
last but one in a series of things; second last.
"the penultimate chapter of the book"
Origin
late 17th century: from Latin paenultimus, from paene ‘almost’ + ultimus ‘last’, on the pattern of ultimate .
---
35.
gourmet
/ˈɡʊəmeɪ,ˈɡɔːmeɪ/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: gourmet; plural noun: gourmets
a connoisseur of good food; a person with a discerning palate.
h
Similar:
gastronome
epicure
epicurean
connoisseur
bon vivant
bon viveur
foodie
of a kind or standard suitable for a gourmet.
modifier noun: gourmet
"a gourmet meal"
Origin
early 19th century: French, originally meaning ‘wine taster’, influenced by gourmand.
---
36.
armadillo
/ˌɑːməˈdɪləʊ/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: armadillo; plural noun: armadillos
a nocturnal insectivorous mammal that has large claws for digging and a body covered in bony plates. Armadillos are native to Central and South America and one kind is spreading into the southern US.
Origin
late 16th century: from Spanish, diminutive of armado ‘armed man’, from Latin armatus, past participle of armare ‘to arm’.
---
37.
ingenuity
/ˌɪndʒɪˈnjuːɪti/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: ingenuity
the quality of being clever, original, and inventive.
"considerable ingenuity must be employed in writing software"
h
Similar:
inventiveness
creativity
imagination
originality
innovation
---
38.
corrugated
/ˈkɒrəɡeɪtɪd/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: corrugated
(of a material or surface) shaped into a series of parallel ridges and grooves so as to give added rigidity and strength.
"corrugated cardboard"
h
Similar:
ridged
fluted
channelled
furrowed
grooved
crimped
folded
crinkled
crinkly
puckered
creased
wrinkled
wrinkly
crumpled
rumpled
striate
striated
corrugate
/ˈkɒrʊɡeɪt/
Learn to pronounce
verb
past tense: corrugated; past participle: corrugated
contract or cause to contract into wrinkles or folds.
"Micky's brow corrugated in a simian frown"
Origin
late Middle English: from Latin corrugat- ‘wrinkled’, from the verb corrugare, from cor- (expressing intensive force) + rugare (from ruga ‘a wrinkle’).
---
39.
edict
/ˈiːdɪkt/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: edict; plural noun: edicts
an official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority.
"Clovis issued an edict protecting Church property"
h
Similar:
decree
order
command
commandment
mandate
proclamation
pronouncement
dictum
dictate
fiat
promulgation
precept
law
statute
act
enactment
bill
ordinance
regulation
rule
ruling
injunction
manifesto
ukase
pronunciamento
firman
decretal
irade
rescript
Origin
Middle English: from Latin edictum ‘something proclaimed’, neuter past participle of edicere, from e- (variant of ex- ) ‘out’ + dicere ‘say, tell’.
---
40.
undercut
See definitions in:
all
commerce
geography
art
tennis
forestry
cooking
hairdressing
verb
verb: undercut; 3rd person present: undercuts; past tense: undercut; past participle: undercut; gerund or present participle: undercutting
/ˌʌndəˈkʌt/
1.
offer goods or services at a lower price than (a competitor).
"these industries have been undercut by more efficient foreign producers"
h
Similar:
charge less than
charge a lower price than
undersell
underbid
2.
cut or wear away the part below or under (something, especially a cliff).
"the base of the crag is undercut permitting walkers to pass behind the falling water"
cut away material to leave (a carved design) in relief.
3.
weaken; undermine.
"the chairman denied his authority was being undercut"
h
Similar:
undermine
weaken
impair
damage
sap
threaten
subvert
sabotage
ruin
disrupt
undo
destabilize
demolish
wreck
destroy
chip away
4.
Tennis
strike (a ball) with backspin so that it bounces high on landing.
noun
noun: undercut; plural noun: undercuts
/ˈʌndəkʌt/
1.
a space formed by the removal or absence of material from the lower part of something.
"there may be some bigger fish in the safety of the undercut"
North American
a notch cut in a tree trunk to guide its fall when felled.
2.
British
the underside of a sirloin of beef.
3.
a hairstyle in which the hair is shaved or cut very short on the sides or back of the head but left relatively long on top.
"she styled her short bob into an edgy undercut"
---
41.
revel
/ˈrɛvl/
Learn to pronounce
verb
verb: revel; 3rd person present: revels; past tense: revelled; past participle: revelled; gerund or present participle: revelling; past tense: reveled; past participle: reveled; gerund or present participle: reveling
enjoy oneself in a lively and noisy way, especially with drinking and dancing.
"they spent the evening revelling with their guests"
h
Similar:
celebrate
make merry
have a party
party
feast
eat
drink
and be merry
carouse
roister
have fun
have a good time
enjoy oneself
go on a spree
live it up
whoop it up
have a fling
have a ball
make whoopee
rave
paint the town red
push the boat out
spree
h
Opposite:
mourn
get great pleasure from (a situation or experience).
"Bill said he was secretly revelling in his new-found fame"
h
Similar:
enjoy
delight in
love
like
adore
be entertained by
be amused by
be pleased by
take pleasure in
appreciate
relish
lap up
savour
luxuriate in
bask in
wallow in
glory in
gloat over
feel self-satisfied about
crow about
get a kick out of
get a thrill out of
h
Opposite:
hate
noun
noun: revel; plural noun: revels
lively and noisy enjoyment, especially with drinking and dancing.
"late-night revels"
h
Similar:
celebration
festivity
jollification
merrymaking
carousal
carouse
spree
debauch
bacchanal
party
jamboree
rave
shindig
bash
jag
do
rave-up
knees-up
jolly
thrash
beano
beanfeast
hooley
crack
wingding
blast
shivoo
rage
ding
jollo
Origin
late Middle English: from Old French reveler ‘rise up in rebellion’, from Latin rebellare ‘to rebel’.
---
42.
backdrop
/ˈbakdrɒp/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: backdrop; plural noun: backdrops
a painted cloth hung at the back of a theatre stage as part of the scenery.
the setting or background for a scene, event, or situation.
"the conference took place against a backdrop of increasing diplomatic activity"
verb
verb: backdrop; 3rd person present: backdrops; past tense: backdropped; past participle: backdropped; gerund or present participle: backdropping
lie behind or beyond; serve as a background to.
"the rolling hills that backdropped our camp"
---
43.
ratchet1
/ˈratʃɪt/
Learn to pronounce
See definitions in:
all
mechanics
finance
economics
noun
noun: ratchet; plural noun: ratchets
1.
a device consisting of a bar or wheel with a set of angled teeth in which a cog or tooth engages, allowing motion in one direction only.
"a ratchet screwdriver"
a bar or wheel that forms part of a ratchet.
2.
a situation or process that is perceived to be changing in a series of irreversible steps.
"the upward ratchet of property taxes"
verb
verb: ratchet; 3rd person present: ratchets; past tense: ratcheted; past participle: ratcheted; gerund or present participle: ratcheting
1.
operate by means of a ratchet.
"a ratcheted quick release system"
2.
cause something to rise or fall as a step in a steady and irreversible process.
"the Bank of Japan ratcheted up interest rates again"
rise or fall as a step in a steady and irreversible process.
"the budget deficit continues to ratchet upward"
Origin
mid 17th century: from French rochet, originally denoting a blunt lance head, later in the sense ‘bobbin, ratchet’; related to the base of archaic rock ‘quantity of wool on a distaff for spinning’.
ratchet2
/ˈratʃɪt/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
derogatory•informal
adjective: ratchet
(especially in African American usage) unattractively coarse, disreputable, or unfashionable (typically used of a woman).
"she looks so ratchet in that dress"
(of a thing) rough, crude, or unsophisticated.
"that party was ratchet"
Origin
1990s: perhaps derived from wretched or possibly from ratshit.
---
44.
vitriol
/ˈvɪtrɪəl/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: vitriol
1.
bitter criticism or malice.
"her mother's sudden gush of fury and vitriol"
2.
archaic•literary
sulphuric acid.
"it was as if his words were spraying vitriol on her face"
in names of metallic sulphates, e.g. blue vitriol (copper sulphate) and green vitriol (ferrous sulphate).
Origin
late Middle English (denoting the sulphate of various metals): from Old French, or from medieval Latin vitriolum, from Latin vitrum ‘glass’.
---
45.
cri de cœur
/ˌkriː də ˈkəː/
noun
noun: cri de cœur; plural noun: cris de cœur
a passionate appeal, complaint, or protest.
"a patriotic cris de coeur"
Origin
French, ‘cry from the heart’.
---
46.
shrift
/ʃrɪft/
Learn to pronounce
nounarchaic
noun: shrift; plural noun: shrifts
confession, especially to a priest.
"go to shrift"
absolution by a priest.
Origin
Old English scrift ‘penance imposed after confession’, from shrive.
---
47.
absolution
/ˌabsəˈluːʃn/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: absolution; plural noun: absolutions
formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment.
"absolution from the sentence"
h
Similar:
forgiveness
pardoning
exoneration
remission
dispensation
indulgence
purgation
clemency
mercy
pardon
reprieve
discharge
amnesty
delivery
acquittal
clearing
freedom
liberation
deliverance
release
condoning
vindication
exculpation
let-off
letting off
shrift
shriving
h
Opposite:
punishment
ecclesiastical declaration that a person's sins have been forgiven.
"she had been granted absolution for her sins"
Origin
Old English absolutionem (after Latin), from Latin absolutio(n- ), from the verb absolvere (see absolve); subsequently reinforced by Old French absolution .
---
48.
vibrissae
/vʌɪˈbrɪsiː/
noun
plural noun: vibrissae; noun: vibrissa
Zoology
long stiff hairs growing around the mouth or elsewhere on the face of many mammals, used as organs of touch; whiskers.
Ornithology
coarse bristle-like feathers growing around the gape of certain insectivorous birds that catch insects in flight.
Origin
late 17th century: from Latin, literally ‘nostril hairs’.
---
49.
lucid
/ˈl(j)uːsɪd/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: lucid
1.
expressed clearly; easy to understand.
"a lucid account"
h
Similar:
intelligible
comprehensible
understandable
cogent
coherent
communicative
articulate
eloquent
clear
clear-cut
crystal clear
transparent
plain
simple
direct
vivid
sharp
straightforward
perspicuous
unambiguous
graphic
explicit
joined-up
h
Opposite:
confusing
unclear
ambiguous
showing or having the ability to think clearly, especially in intervals between periods of confusion or insanity.
"he has a few lucid moments every now and then"
h
Similar:
rational
sane
in one's right mind
of sound mind
able to think clearly
normal
balanced
well balanced
sensible
clear-headed
right-minded
sober
compos mentis
all there
with all one's marbles
h
Opposite:
muddled
Psychology
(of a dream) experienced with the dreamer feeling awake, aware of dreaming, and able to control events consciously.
2.
literary
bright or luminous.
"birds dipped their wings in the lucid flow of air"
h
Similar:
bright
shining
gleaming
luminous
radiant
brilliant
glowing
dazzling
lustrous
luminescent
phosphorescent
lucent
lambent
effulgent
refulgent
h
Opposite:
dark
dull
Origin
late 16th century (in lucid (sense 2)): from Latin lucidus (perhaps via French lucide or Italian lucido ) from lucere ‘shine’, from lux, luc- ‘light’.
---
50.
reprisal
/rɪˈprʌɪzl/
Learn to pronounce
noun
plural noun: reprisals
an act of retaliation.
"three youths died in the reprisals which followed"
h
Similar:
retaliation
counterattack
counterstroke
comeback
revenge
vengeance
retribution
requital
recrimination
an eye for an eye
a tooth for a tooth
tit for tat
getting even
redress
repayment
payback
lex talionis
a taste of one's own medicine
ultion
a Roland for an Oliver
historical
the forcible seizure of a foreign subject or their goods as an act of retaliation.
Origin
late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French reprisaille, from medieval Latin reprisalia (neuter plural), based on Latin repraehens- ‘seized’, from the verb repraehendere (see reprehend). The current sense dates from the early 18th century.
---
51.
confer
/kənˈfəː/
Learn to pronounce
verb
gerund or present participle: conferring
1.
grant (a title, degree, benefit, or right).
"the Minister may have exceeded the powers conferred on him by Parliament"
h
Similar:
bestow on
present with/to
grant to
award to
decorate with
honour with
give to
give out to
gift with
endow with
vest in
hand out to
extend to
vouchsafe to
accord to
h
Opposite:
withhold
remove
2.
have discussions; exchange opinions.
"the officials were conferring with allies"
h
Similar:
consult
have discussions
discuss things
exchange views
talk
have a talk
speak
converse
communicate
have a chat
have a tête-à-tête
negotiate
have negotiations
have talks
parley
palaver
have a confab
chew the fat/rag
jaw
rap
powwow
confabulate
Origin
late Middle English (in the general sense ‘bring together’, also in confer (sense 2)): from Latin conferre, from con- ‘together’ + ferre ‘bring’.
---
52.
yonder
/ˈjɒndə/
Learn to pronounce
adverbarchaic•dialect
adverb: yonder
at some distance in the direction indicated; over there.
"there's a ford south of here, about nine miles yonder"
determinerarchaic•dialect
determiner: yonder
that or those (used to refer to something situated at a distance).
"what light through yonder window breaks?"
noun
noun: yonder
the far distance.
"attempting to fly off into the wide blue yonder"
Origin
Middle English: of Germanic origin; related to Dutch ginder ‘over there’, also to yon.
---
53.
pigtail
/ˈpɪɡteɪl/
Learn to pronounce
See definitions in:
all
hairdressing
electrical
smoking
noun
noun: pigtail; plural noun: pigtails; noun: pig-tail; plural noun: pig-tails
1.
a plaited lock of hair worn singly at the back or on each side of the head.
"she had her hair done in pigtails"
2.
a short length of braided wire connecting a stationary part to a moving part in an electrical device.
3.
a thin twist of tobacco.
---
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